On behalf of the group research, (composed by 1 full professor, Prof. Angelo Bugatti, as 8 national coordinator of scientific research, 4 Assistant professors and 3 PhD students), the text that I am presenting here is part of an ongoing research project at the Department of Landscape and Building Engineering, at the University of Pavia. Starting from the assumption that scientific knowledge with regard to the urban landscape and its real nature is still incomplete at all levels, that is, as already stated, it is technically impossible to bring back the land to its original properties, we assert that at this point that a new design approach can be introduced by reconciling with the urban environment. As C. Girot wrote, ‘to focus on the questions of nature, without reconciling man with his immediate urban surroundings today seems completely futile and limiting.’ The topography of the landscape can be considered a design approach that takes us to the expression of a new type of environment. New topographical landscapes are becoming widespread in the city; they represent forms very different from those represented in the past. In many cases, the topographic approach can be taken as a direct expression of the current imbalance between nature and the city. Both in open areas as well as in densely populated and inhabited cities (artificialised cities, in other words), the design approach that re-transforms the morphology of the terrain through its topography becomes very important, even where nothing natural exists anymore. It is apt to specify that the term topography of the landscape is used in a broader sense of the traditional meaning of measuring and representing the territory. The term is to be understood as the design of new territory. In this sense, the topography of the terrain can be seen as the creator of a new urban environment, using natural resources optimally. The topographical approach in architectural and urban composition signifies re-modelling the earth to create new ways of using the land and possibly enhancing the value of spaces on the surface, in the new alliance between the land and natural elements. The strength of this approach within cities is directly related to both the urban environment and architecture since the surrounding land is freed and can assume natural characteristics and the architecture with its facades and planes (roofing for example) can become green areas. This leads us towards ecological themes and allows us to conceive spaces with low impact in terms of both energy and landscape; in this way, topography becomes a tool for cultural transformation.
A composition strategy for a urban environmental and city spaces. New topographical landscapes as infrastructure of the architectural organism
CATTANEO, TIZIANO
2009-01-01
Abstract
On behalf of the group research, (composed by 1 full professor, Prof. Angelo Bugatti, as 8 national coordinator of scientific research, 4 Assistant professors and 3 PhD students), the text that I am presenting here is part of an ongoing research project at the Department of Landscape and Building Engineering, at the University of Pavia. Starting from the assumption that scientific knowledge with regard to the urban landscape and its real nature is still incomplete at all levels, that is, as already stated, it is technically impossible to bring back the land to its original properties, we assert that at this point that a new design approach can be introduced by reconciling with the urban environment. As C. Girot wrote, ‘to focus on the questions of nature, without reconciling man with his immediate urban surroundings today seems completely futile and limiting.’ The topography of the landscape can be considered a design approach that takes us to the expression of a new type of environment. New topographical landscapes are becoming widespread in the city; they represent forms very different from those represented in the past. In many cases, the topographic approach can be taken as a direct expression of the current imbalance between nature and the city. Both in open areas as well as in densely populated and inhabited cities (artificialised cities, in other words), the design approach that re-transforms the morphology of the terrain through its topography becomes very important, even where nothing natural exists anymore. It is apt to specify that the term topography of the landscape is used in a broader sense of the traditional meaning of measuring and representing the territory. The term is to be understood as the design of new territory. In this sense, the topography of the terrain can be seen as the creator of a new urban environment, using natural resources optimally. The topographical approach in architectural and urban composition signifies re-modelling the earth to create new ways of using the land and possibly enhancing the value of spaces on the surface, in the new alliance between the land and natural elements. The strength of this approach within cities is directly related to both the urban environment and architecture since the surrounding land is freed and can assume natural characteristics and the architecture with its facades and planes (roofing for example) can become green areas. This leads us towards ecological themes and allows us to conceive spaces with low impact in terms of both energy and landscape; in this way, topography becomes a tool for cultural transformation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
